Post-Superstorm rail upgrades to be studied

SECAUCUS, N.J. (AP) — The U.S. Energy Department is investing $1 million to look into improving New Jersey Transit’s train system after Superstorm Sandy.

The grant announced at the Frank Lautenberg train station in Secaucus on Monday is the first step toward building a new microgrid to power trains during major power outages.

Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz joined Gov. Chris Christie and transit officials in making the announcement.

Christie says the NJ Transitgrid would be the first microgrid built for a non-military use. It would supply highly reliable power when the regular power sources fail.

The October storm knocked out power to more than 5 million users, severely flooded the Hoboken rail station and caused hundreds of millions in damage to rail cars that had been moved to low-lying storage yards.